These elite foot guards are charged with the protection of the monarch, the royal family and royal palaces.

These men are experts with the smoothbore musket, famed for their accuracy and fast reloading skills. They are also famous for their meticulously correct uniforms: the post of foot guard can only be held by the very best soldiers. If necessary the guards must be willing to lay down their lives to protect the royal family. This requires a rare breed of man: highly disciplined with excellent morale, able to stand steadfast to the last. On the battlefield the foot guards set an example to inspire nearby units.

Historically, monarchies vied with each other to have the finest household guards in their palaces. The French Maison du Roi regiment were hand picked by the king from candidates sent in from every line regiment. Officers who sent along duffers for the duty were punished. In Prussia the “Potsdam Giants” were a quirk of Frederick I’s obsession with very, very tall men and military pomp. Oddly, Frederick was not a very warlike chap at all. He just liked tall men.

Life Guards of Foot are available to Sweden and Denmark. They are statistically identical to generic elite infantry such as Grenadier Guards and Republican Guards. However, they are harder to recruit than most other guards, as they are only available at the highest-tier military buildings. This relegates their availability to late in the campaign.